All the latest news from Women's Property Initiatives
WPI Times Summer 2024
Message from the CEO
Welcome to the Summer edition of the WPI Times, a news bulletin for renters. Congratulations to Zora from Kensington who has won a $100 voucher for responding to our call out for name suggestions for the resident newsletter. A big thank you to all of you who responded with suggestions. It has been wonderful to personally meet some of you over the last 6 months or talk to you on the phone. I look forward to meeting you if I haven’t had the opportunity to yet.
In this edition you will see the results of our resident satisfaction survey. Over 60% of residents responded to the survey. We are delighted with the response rate and the results. A huge thanks to everyone who took the time to provide us with feedback about our services. Alongside letting you know the results we are also letting you know what we are doing in areas where your feedback said we could enhance our services!
Finally on behalf of the Board and the team at WPI, I wish you a very happy and safe festive season.
Warm regards
Roberta
Office Opening Hours
We would like to advise that Women's Property Initiatives will be closed over the holiday period from 12.30 pm on 23rd December 2024 and will re-open on the 2nd January 2025. You can report urgent repairs by phoning Valley Maintenance on 1800 088 106. In general an urgent repair is something in your home that is impacting your health, safety or wellbeing. If you are not sure what an urgent repair is you can find more information here Maintenance | Women's Property Initiatives
Renter Satisfaction Survey
Thank you to everyone who completed our renter survey this year, we had an amazing response rate and overall satisfaction rating of 91%. Thank you.
Here is what you told us
What is going well
· 90% of residents were satisfied that WPI upheld their rights.
· 84% of residents were satisfied with information about our services and 81% were satisfied with communication
· 80% of our residents were satisfied with the repairs and maintenance service and the quality of repairs completed during the year. 79% of residents are satisfied with the condition of their home.
What could be improved
· 78% of residents understand how rent is calculated but only 58% of residents know how to get more information about how rents are calculated.
· 78% of residents know how to make a complaint and 71% were satisfied with how their complaint was handled.
· 61% of residents were satisfied with how renters can influence decision making at WPI.
You said – we will do
Your feedback is important to shaping our services here at WPI. Based on your feedback we are implementing the following changes that you will see come into effect over the next six months:
· Refresh our Rent Setting Policy and provide better information on to help renters understand how rent is calculated.
· Refresh key policies that are important for renters so that they are easier to understand.
· Invest in ongoing training and development for our staff e.g customer service and trauma informed practice training, so we can support your needs.
· Create a Renter Advisory Panel so that renters’ views are heard by senior staff and also the WPI Board. Look out for more information about this in January/February.
· Update our complaints policy and brochure. This will make it easier for renters to know how to make a complaint about WPI, how complaints are managed and what happens when you do make a complaint.
Social Housing Volunteer Awards
Congratulations to WPI renter, Jo, from Brunswick who was recognised in the Social Housing Volunteer Awards as a nominee for the Molly Hadfield Award. This award honours those making a difference for older renters in their community.
Jo volunteers her time and shares her lived experience of homelessness publicly to advocate for more social and affordable housing. Jo is a talented artist who has generously shared her experiences and her art with WPI to advocate for more community housing, particularly for older women.
Well done to Jo and all the nominees and winners out there doing fabulous work in their communities!
25 New Homes
We are thrilled to end the calendar year by sharing that we have hit our 25 new and affordable homes by 2025 goal that was set three years ago on our 25th anniversary! These homes, located around Melbourne are already completed or are currently in various stages of planning and construction. We can't wait to offer them to women and women led families in 2025. Thank you to all our supporters for helping us reach this milestone ahead of time. These homes for women and children at risk of homelessness are now secured!!
We’re not stopping. From today, we’re kickstarting a new fundraising campaign to increase our impact and secure more housing over the next 6 months.
The Nest
It was spectacular to see the modules arrive on site at The Nest, in northern Victoria. Final fit off is underway and landscaping is about to commence for these homes. We have partnered with the Property Industry Foundation and The Bridge Youth Service to deliver these modular homes for young mums where they will receive wraparound support.
Staying Cool this Summer
This summer is predicted to be hot and muggy, here are some tips to manage the heat during this time
- Block out the sun by closing curtains or blinds on sun facing windows
- At night or when a cool change comes through, open windows to allow the cooler air in (if it is safe to do so).
- Use fans or air conditioning efficiently by keeping doors and windows closed in cooled rooms.
- Make sure the filters on your air conditioner units are clean and free from dust.
- Keep hydrated
- Cool down by having a cool shower or a cool towel placed around the back of your neck.
Thank You
A big thank you to renters Melynda and Jo for contributing artworks to be used in our publications. If you have anything you would like to share with us for us to create content, including your experiences, important milestones and achievements, and stories, please contact admin@wpi.org.au
Reach out for support if you need it
We know that the festive season can be particularly hard for some women or their loved ones.
Below are some links to resources that you can access if you or someone you know needs it.
https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/articles/general/mental-wellness-during-the-holiday-season
https://www.ruok.org.au/supporting-someone-at-christmas
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/christmas-can-be-stressful